Junior Merchandiser

Job title: Junior Merchandiser

**Salary**:
Reporting: Head of Buying & Merchandising

**The Company**

Childsplay Clothing is a stylish independent retailer of luxury designer children’s clothes operating today out of the UK. Our vibrant and fashionable website is the envy of many and gives us reach to a worldwide customer from as far as the USA, Middle East to China. Our operation is backed up by our high-tech Head Office and Distribution centre operating out of Dagenham and in Doncaster. Incorporated 30 years ago the business has built a trusted and talented team which have helped drive the strategy and vision to make the company one of the market leaders today.

**The Role**:
Childsplay Clothing is looking for an enthusiastic and committed Junior Merchandiser to join our expanding Buying and Merchandising Department. As a Junior Merchandiser at Childsplay you will be essential in supporting the buying team during seasonal brand buys as well as overseeing day-to-day office admin tasks. If you are truly passionate about fashion and are looking to drive your career forward in a fast paced and exciting environment this is the role for you.

**Duties and Responsibilities**
- Working closely with the team to assist in the planning of product ranges
- Review previous season trends and sell thrus, with an understanding of the competitive environment, to support future buying plans
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to share findings with relevant teams / team members
- Assist in creating WSSIs and category level product mix using history, data and agreed budgets
- Assist in building the range plan and budget management
- Review weekly trading performance, achieved margin and achieved KPI's, identifying Issues and the course of action in preparation for the weekly trading meetings
- Generate timely and accurate demand plans on a weekly/monthly/seasonal basis
- Undertake monthly forecast reviews with buying and merch team
- Management of commitments - intake, on time delivery, trade terms, rebuys and cancellations
- Plan new product launches with demand forecasts
- Monitor weekly sales and core lines. Own re-orders
- Work with the digital trade, finance and planning manager to track and support improvement in forecast accuracy
- Review sales and sales channels regularly to maximise sales potentials
- Terminal stock management
- Manage WSSIs ensuring accurate sales, stock and intake information is updated.
- Work closely with the team to minimise weeks cover and maximise stock turn.
- Identify opportunities to optimise inventory and meet customer demands within the digital channel

**Qualifications, Skills or Experience Required**
- Previous experience in a similar role preferably but not essentially within the luxury kids wear sector
- Good knowledge of spoken and written English
- Strong Microsoft Excel and MS Office skills
- Ability to create and put together detailed reports from multiple data sources
- Adaptability to software changes
- Personal interest in fashion and commercial awareness of the luxury market
- Ability to think outside the box and actively bring to the table new ideas to positively influence the brand and product mix
- Great time management skills with ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
- Willingness to go the extra mile to achieve individual as well as department goals
- Positive and proactive attitude with ability to work as part of a team as well as taking ownership of individual tasks
- Well-presented and with a professional approach
- Willingness and ability to adapt to change at speed in an innovative and fast paced environment

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Thorough cleaning in operation around the building with hand sanitisers readily available around and in each office. The wearing of masks is optional.

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Dagenham, RM9 6FF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Experience**:

- Merchandising: 2 years (required)
- Retail: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving (preferred)

Work authorisation:

- United Kingdom (required)

Reference ID: CP_M1_JB